Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40168640›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2025

Medical Device Based on a Virtual Reality-Based Upper Limb Rehabilitation Software: Usability Evaluation Through Cognitive Walkthrough.

Seojin Hong, Hyun Choi, Hyosun Kweon

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Seojin HongDepartment of Clinical Research Rehabilitation, National Rehabilitation Center, 58 Samgaksan-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, 01022, Republic of Korea, 82 02-901-1904.ORCID 0000-0003-4349-3178
Hyun ChoiDepartment of Healthcare and Public Health, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.ORCID 0000-0003-3210-8561
Hyosun KweonDepartment of Clinical Research Rehabilitation, National Rehabilitation Center, 58 Samgaksan-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, 01022, Republic of Korea, 82 02-901-1904.ORCID 0000-0003-1596-3232

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The use of virtual reality (VR) technology in rehabilitation therapy has been growing, leading to the development of VR-based upper-limb rehabilitation softwares. To ensure the effective use of such software, usability evaluations are critical to enhance user satisfaction and identify potential usability issues. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the usability of a VR-based upper-limb rehabilitation software from the perspective of occupational therapists. Specifically, the study seeks to identify usability challenges and provide insights to improve user satisfaction. Methods: The VR-based upper-limb rehabilitation software was tailored for therapists to operate while delivering therapy to patients. Usability testing was conducted with occupational therapists from the Korean National Rehabilitation Center using cognitive walkthroughs and surveys. Participants performed tasks that simulated real clinical scenarios, including turning the device on, assisting patients with wearing the device, and shutting it down. Observers recorded user reactions during task performance, and participants completed surveys to assess the ease of use of the user interface. This mixed-methods approach provided qualitative insights into user difficulties and their root causes. Results: Usability evaluations were conducted with 6 participants. Cognitive walkthroughs revealed potential areas for improvement in the software, including (1) enhancements to the graphical user interface for ease of use, (2) refinements in the natural user interface, and (3) better user manuals for clearer product instructions. The ease-of-use score for the user interface averaged 1.58 on a 5-point scale (1=very easy to 5=very difficult). Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into improving user satisfaction by focusing on the needs of occupational therapists who operate a VR-based rehabilitation software. Future research should explore software refinement and clinical efficacy to maximize the therapeutic potential of such technologies.

Indexed as

Occupational TherapySoftwareUpper ExtremityVirtual RealityAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRepublic of KoreaSurveys and QuestionnairesUser-Computer Interfacecognitive walkthroughformative evaluationlimb rehabilitationmedical deviceoccupational therapyqualitativequantitativerehabilitationrisk factorsoftwaretherapistupper limbusabilityusability testinguser safetyvirtual realityvirtual reality-based upper limb rehabilitation softwareVR

Identifiers

PMID40168640
PMCPMC11978233

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.